Drift boat input wanted

[sisu]

Length?
Aluminum or glass?
Any manufacturer that is not up to par please have your say, but please don't flame someone for voicing their opinion because I asked.
Other than that I don't know much else to ask. Oh, I do intend on putting a motor on it now & then. Accessories we know about from rafts & cats.

[t6]

McKenzie aluminum is a damn nice product.  Aluminum is good for low maintenance but if your looking for real nostalgia, get or build a wood boat. 

[klickriverchromer]

Depends what kind of fishing you plan on doing.. If I was to buy a brand new or used boat currentlly I would be looking into a 17x60 willie drift boat.. level floors/cut out transom for motor/side anchor syst.(I don't like the floor anchor syst.s)

[Hyde]

I would get the smallest one that would work for me.  I'm not a guide, and frankly don't want to row 3 guys plus myself all day, therefore I would not be looking at a gigantic boat.  A standard 16, or possibly a 16x54 if I were going to do some multi day floats (Deschutes, etc) for the extra gear carrying capacity. 

Brand?  I've owned Alumaweld, Fishrite, and a home built aluminum, and one wooden 16 footer.  For maneuverability, the wood boat wins easily.  I found myself being too careful in the wood boat, and it drove my friends crazy.  For that reason, I wouldn't have another wood boat in the PNW.  I have fished in glass boats, but really have no comments on them, other than I wouldn't have one myself. 

Having owned several drift boats, and fished in just about every major brand, if I were to buy another one, I believe it would be a Willie.

[CastleRocker]

Personally, I like 16-17' wooden drift boats.  They are WAY lighter than solid glass, and they ride nicer and are always quiet.  They are also WAY warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer than tin boats.  I also just like the look.  The only drawback is the really good ones are very, very expensive. 

[JimmyHoffa]

I would say to look at the rivers you would mostly be using it in and then see if that would help your decision.  You can get some stuff called Coat-It or Glov-It that has graphite in an epoxy that you can paint the bottom of an aluminum boat with to prevent any sticking.  I personally like the aluminum ones because of the ability to bang into large/sharp rocks and shrug it off.

[walt]

I would say to look at the rivers you would mostly be using it in and then see if that would help your decision.  You can get some stuff called Coat-It or Glov-It that has graphite in an epoxy that you can paint the bottom of an aluminum boat with to prevent any sticking.  I personally like the aluminum ones because of the ability to bang into large/sharp rocks and shrug it off.

  I went with a 16x54 willie about 8 years ago and couldn't be happier.  I really like the durability and lack of maintenance needed.  I also really like how easy it is to reconfigure the seating and storage.  My buddy has one here also that is a bit older with a few different options.  I'm not too far from you, PM me if you want to check them out. 

[finfeatherfur]

 there is not one perfect boat,  I own a 16 x 48 fishrite,  I have rowed willie, alumaweld, tatman wood boats and clackacrafts and hydes.  All have pros and cons.  Personally I would not own a wood boat, even though they row and handle superbly,  I just don't want the maintenance and even if your careful you do bang into rocks.  If I was looking for a flyfishing boat for mild water I would consider a glass boat.  Other than that I would stick with aluminum.  If I were to buy another one I would buy a 16 x 54.  The 48 bottom turns quick and handles nice but with two people in the front it is nice to have the extra room.  Definitely a side anchor system,  Dry storage where ever you can get it,  a moveable rowers seat with fish box,  level floors are nice if you want to be set up for fly fishing.  If you are putting a motor on it for lakes it is nice to take out the rowers seat.  My preference would be a Willie boat but I would not shy away from another fishrite and I would look at the Pavati.  Just my two cents.

[whacker1]

I would say to look at the rivers you would mostly be using it in and then see if that would help your decision.  You can get some stuff called Coat-It or Glov-It that has graphite in an epoxy that you can paint the bottom of an aluminum boat with to prevent any sticking.  I personally like the aluminum ones because of the ability to bang into large/sharp rocks and shrug it off.

  I went with a 16x54 willie about 8 years ago and couldn't be happier.  I really like the durability and lack of maintenance needed.  I also really like how easy it is to reconfigure the seating and storage.  My buddy has one here also that is a bit older with a few different options.  I'm not too far from you, PM me if you want to check them out.

I have been in Walt's boat on several occassions.  The only changes I would make are purely preference.  I would go with the 17 x 60 with the flat floor, and floor anchor system.  It is a great boat and I would be happy to row or fish from it whenever Walt allows.  There are lots of good boats out there, so it comes down to preference and where you are going to use it. 

Do you want a high side or low side boat?

glass, wood or aluminum?

big or small?